Turkish, Greek maritime leaders meet at reception hosted by Turkish Embassy in Athens
Representatives of the Turkish and Greek maritime industries gathered at a special reception hosted by the Turkish Embassy in Athens, aiming to explore new opportunities for cooperation between the two neighboring countries' maritime sectors.
The reception was held at the residence of Turkish Ambassador to Greece Çağatay Erciyes as part of the Posidonia 2026 International Shipping Exhibition, one of the world's leading maritime events.
The event brought together key stakeholders from the Turkish and Greek shipping industries, fostering dialogue and strengthening business ties across the maritime community.
Sponsored by the Chamber of Shipping of Istanbul and Marmara, Aegean, Mediterranean and Black Sea Regions (IMEAK Chamber of Shipping) and the Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association (GISBIR), the reception welcomed approximately 250 guests, including maritime executives, business leaders, and representatives of official institutions based in Athens.
In his address, Ambassador Erciyes highlighted Türkiye’s growing role in the global maritime industry and emphasized the significant cooperation potential between Turkish and Greek maritime stakeholders.
Erciyes noted that Turkey participated in Posidonia 2026 with a total of 76 companies, including 15 exhibitors under the Turkish National Pavilion. He described the strong presence as a clear indication of the Turkish maritime sector’s expanding international influence and competitiveness.
The ambassador also underlined the remarkable progress achieved by Türkiye’s shipbuilding industry in recent years. With 85 active shipyards, Türkiye has developed world-class expertise in constructing high-value and specialized vessels, ranging from naval ships and superyachts to ferries and environmentally friendly vessels.
According to Erciyes, Türkiye’s shipbuilding sector generated more than $2 billion in exports last year, further strengthening its position in the global maritime market.
Addressing broader bilateral relations, Erciyes stated that Türkiye and Greece have demonstrated over the past three years that dialogue and cooperation remain possible despite ongoing differences and unresolved issues.
He emphasized that the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean are shared spaces connecting the peoples, economies, and futures of both countries. Enhanced cooperation in shipping, shipbuilding, port operations, and logistics, he said, could make a significant contribution to achieving the $10 billion bilateral trade volume target set by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Guests at the reception were also offered a selection of traditional Turkish cuisine, showcasing the country’s rich culinary heritage alongside its maritime achievements.
